CIDCO offers villagers 2 options

Project affected people can opt for either 12.5 % developed land with monetary compensation or 22.5 % developed land minus monetary package for giving up their land for new airport

After a series of negotiations over land acquisition for the proposed international airport in Navi Mumbai between the project affected people (PAP) and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd (CIDCO), a consensus over compensation package has been reached.

The offersTanaji Satre, managing director, CIDCO, said, "After a few meetings with the PAPs, we have given them two options. As per the first option, they will be offered 12.5 per cent of developed land plus monetary compensation. In the second option, we have offered them 22.5 per cent of developed land, but without the monetary compensation. The developed land will be anywhere in Navi Mumbai region. Since the talks are still on, it will take a while to reach a conclusion."

Yet to acceptConfirming CIDCO's offers, R C Gharat, representative of the Navi Mumbai International Airport PAP, said, "Though we have received a couple of offers from the CIDCO for our land, we are yet to accept any. The final decision will be taken only after a thorough discussion with the PAPs. At the same time, we want CIDCO to fill all the positions reserved for PAPs, which it hasn't in the last few years."

Will recruit PAPsCommenting on the recruitment of PAPs that will pave way for uninterrupted construction of the international airport, Satre said, "During our recruitment drives, we have tried to give optimum opportunities to PAP candidates and will recruit them as per rules and regulations."

BreakthroughIt was after getting green signals from almost all government quarters that CIDCO hastened work of the proposed airport in Navi Mumbai. Though the body is yet to secure clearance from the Forest department, it is expected to get it soon.

As per the proposal, CIDCO is supposed to acquire around 1,000 acres of land.

However, the land acquisition issue gave its officials sleepless nights after the PAPs asked a whopping Rs 2 crore for an acre of land.

Initially, when the CIDCO had called on the PAPs to discuss compensation issue, the latter refused to meet them unless the developmental body filled all the vacancies that were reserved for PAP candidates.

It was only after CIDCO's assurance that it would do the needful, talks between the two parties resumed a few days ago, wherein CIDCO offered them a couple of options.